Hi Charles, Here is a passage from "Milford, Connecticut; The History of a New England Hometown, 1639-1989": Historic annals report the story of a Mr. Birdsey (or Birdseye) who was found kissing his wife on the Sabbath and was to be severely whipped. Robert Bulkeley, a New Haven author, in telling the tale, said: "His was a rebel spirit and instead of submitting meekly, he threw his persecutors off guard and ran for the river to the west. Mr. Birdsey was an athlete. He not only outdistanced his pursuers, but swam the Housatonic to the Stratford shore. He is said to have shaken his fist at them once he was safe on the other side. More likely he thumbed his nose at them! Mrs. Birdsey took things calmly. She knew her husband to be a resourceful man. He justified her patience, returned under cover of night, took her and his household goods and slipped away while the sentry snored." Great story! Christine (originally from Milford) >Thank you, Louise and Dee Watt for the information on my 8th Great >Grandfather, John Birdseye. That habit of kissing your wife on Sundays is >still going on except for golfers. I've kissed mine on about >4,444 Sundays. >Charles Darling Armstrong from Paducah, Kentucky known as "QUILT CITY, >U.S.A." and the home of the second annual WESTERN KENTUCKY HIGHLAND FESTIVAL >-----Original Message----- >From: Louise Sklar <gracious@pacificnet.net> >> >> >>There is a story that John BIRDSEYE of Milford, a New Haven Colony town, >>was caught kissing his wife one Sunday in 1649. On Monday the town >>officials sentenced him to be lashed. Breaking loose from his captors, >>BIRDSEYE swam the river to Stratford, then thumbed his nose at his pursuers >>across the river. The BIRDSEYES stayed in Stratford, where the laws were >>less restrictive.